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Ten Questions

10?’s with Chef Katy Fischer

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Katy Fischer is originally from Urbana, Ohio and always knew she wanted to become a chef from an early age. She studied at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute in Pittsburgh. After graduating, she traveled the US working in many five star resorts polishing her talents in the kitchen. One of her favorite places was Savannah, Georgia where she worked under a French Chef who taught her the art of Southern cuisine.

In 2011 Katy moved back to town to spend time with her family and met the love of her life, Jeremy. She has been with Coldwater Cafe in Tipp City for 8 years and she has been the Executive Chef since 2015. Her culinary talents have brought many new customers by enlightening their taste buds with her unique creations. When Katy isn’t creating masterpieces, she loves spending time with Jeremy in Key West and with their three dogs, Lu, Merle, and Huckleberry, whom she considers her children.

Katy took some time to answer our Chef 10? interview and here’s what she had to say:

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with? 
My favorite ingredient to cook with isn’t a specific ingredient…but I would say spice. I love spicy food. The spicier the better. At Coldwater, I definitely hold back the heat as many people aren’t as crazy about it as I am. But let me be clear, I do not like things to just be hot, they have to be flavorful as well. There are so many ingredients out there that infuse dishes that I wish people would be more open to. There are so many amazing chiles that are underutilized. I love harissa, curry, masalas…there are just so many.

 

What ingredient do you dread?
Hmmm. I would have to say veal. I personally do not cook or eat veal. For my own personal reasons. I am an animal lover and not a lover of animal cruelty.

 

What’s your favorite dish to make?
Soup! Random answer, I know. But at Coldwater, we are known for our soups. We have a Soup of the Day and I am always creating new things. You can make soup out of anything. I just made a green tomato bisque full of fresh basil and lime juice and topped it with a crab and jalapeno salad. Killer.

 

What’s your favorite pig out food?
Oh gosh, well I’d say sushi….I love sushi! I could probably eat an entire sushi boat by myself. Ha…and that pickled ginger, yum!

 

What restaurant, other than your own, do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
I love Thai Nine. Like I said before, I’m a spicy kind of lady…I always ask what the hottest number is when I order and then ask them to make it even spicier. They have amazing Curry and Pad Thai. I also love the “surprise” sushi roll, that’s always fun. I love that when I go there, they treat me so well. They know I am the Chef at Coldwater and I love that the employees are fan of us as well. I love the support.

 

What’s your best advice for home chefs?
My best advice to Home Chefs would be to not take things too seriously. Recipes are guidelines. Have fun with what you’re doing and try new things, because I promise you the best things in life were created by accident.

 

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?
Four guests (can I choose alive or dead?) 1. Emeril Lagasse – he was one of the reasons I decided to become a Chef. His cooking shows were about all I watched as a teenager. I was always asking my Mom to get me the ingredients for his recipes I saw him making and she did! 2. Elton John – he’s done it all. His music is amazing, he’s not afraid to stand out in a crowd, he’s an activist, he’s an inspiration, and he just seems like he’d have a lot of great stories to tell. 3. Ellen DeGeneres – she’s hilarious, witty, kind, genuine, generous, an animal lover and activist, and I know we would have so much to talk about. 4. My Mom – she’s my number one fan. She’s always been there supporting me every step of the way. She’s the main reason I became a Chef. She was always cooking and baking and I loved being around her and doing anything she was doing. I still do.

 

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
Honestly, I look up to all the Chefs I see killin’ it on Instagram. The chefs who are always being tagged on True Cooks. The chefs that are out there day in and day out, busting their butts, making delicious and beautiful food. The chefs who are driven by the passion we as chefs all have inside of us. Being a chef is not for the faint of heart. When you’re passionate and dedicated enough to be a chef, you may not see the light of day. You spend it in a kitchen, creating art to make other’s happy. You go home, sleep, and get up and do it again. All for the passion.

 

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?
On my days off I enjoy kayaking in the Great Miami near Troy and Tipp City, hiking in Yellow Springs, trying new wineries, riding my bicycle, walking my three pups, gardening ( I plant and take care of lots of succulents)

 

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
Oh the kitchen stories I could tell you- well just the other day we had sold roughly 70 Charcuterie kits and I was prepping more cheese when my hand slipped off the tip of my knife. My knife went through my hand cutting through three layers of skin. 6 stitches later, I came back to work, and everyone got their Charcuterie boards.

 

10?’s with Chef Dane Shipp

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Chef Dane Shipp

Chef Dane Shipp is approaching his second anniversary in the kitchen of Lock 27 Brewery.  A graduate of the Sinclair Culinary program he’s been cooking around town for over ten years.  Having started at the downtown branch of Lock 27 in winter of 2018, he was recently promoted to Executive Chef, overseeing both locations of the breweries restaurants.   Having just rolled out 17 new menu items, he made some time to take on DMM’s Chef 10?’s interview:

 

1.  What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

My favorite ingredient to work with is garlic! It’s one of the most flavorful ingredients out there! I use it in a lot of my dishes. Roasted, fried crispy for asian dishes, sliced raw, etc…

2.  What ingredient do you dread?

I’d have to say the ingredient I dread the most is beets! Only because it takes a long time to cook, and it will stain you and everything around you!

3. What’s your favorite dish to make?

My favorite dish to make is pad kee mao (drunken noodles) I’m obsessed with asian cuisine, and that’s my favorite noodle dish. Spicy, and fresh ingredients!

Steak ramen

 

4. What’s your favorite pig out food?
That would have to be tacos! I can literally eat 20 tacos! One of the best creations ever made!

 

5. What restaurant, other than your own, do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
I go to a lot of different restaurants in the Dayton area! Because of my plant based diet I’m limited, but to name a few, Wheat Penny, Tik’s Thai Express, Taqueria Mixteca, Linhs Bistro, and Little Saigon!

 

6. What’s your best advice for home chefs?
My advice to home chefs is to try cooking with new ingredients! Experiment with new flavors! Gotta fail in attempts at different recipes in order to get better!

Scallops with bacon jam and roasted carrots



7. If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

Lebron James– basketball was my first love, and I grew up watching him! He’s inspirational, and from a small town in Ohio like myself. I respect him a lot!
2 Chainz– I appreciate his taste in the finer things in life!  He not afraid to try different stuff, and I know he would appreciate my cooking!
Dave Chappelle– obviously everyone knows how funny this guy is! To be in a room with him would be a great experience! Comedians have different ways of thinking, and they are not afraid to say what they want. I respect his real ness
Barack Obama– Obama might be the coolest dude in the world! I just feel like he is always calm and chill! I feel like all those guys at a dinner party would create a really good vibe!

Lobster risotto


8. Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

Honestly I look up to the underdogs. They people who are famous chefs, or classically trained. I’ve never been trained by anyone, so I can relate to the people who just know how to cook really good from getting in the kitchen and working at your craft! I look up to people like action bronson, and Matty Matheson. I can relate to people like that.

 

9. What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?
On a day off, I usually will go to a bigger city like Columbus or Cincinnati, and enjoy the city! Eating food, drinking cocktails, and experience all the culture I can!

 

10. share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
My lucky break was honestly coming to lock 27. I was at my previous job for 8 years, and they never let me showcase my creativity. When I came to lock, I was creating dishes within the first 2 weeks, and after a year I was the executive chef! So now I create 4-5 dishes every single week for both locations, and it’s a rare thing in Dayton, OH for a chef to have that much creativity that doesn’t own the establishment!

10 ?’s with Chef Patrick Sartin

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Chef Patrick Sartin started cooking at a young age in Dayton working in several local kitchens including The Country Club of the North, Rocky’s Pizza, and Kohler Catering, before attending the Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated in 2002. After graduation Sartin did a stint as the Head Chef at Chanterelles here in Dayton, before he achieved his goal of travel and work in as many different regions of the US as he could, gaining as much culinary knowledge as possible.

Patrick has worked in the industry across the United States from Colorado to Maine working with very talented culinarians including two ACF Certified Master Chefs. As a chef for the prestigious Ocean Properties LTD in Bar Harbor Maine for years, Patrick assisted in opening and overseeing the daily operations in hotel kitchens and large catering facilities up and down the east coast. Sartin has extensive knowledge and experience executing large banquet functions, operating multiple outlets, and producing a wide variety of foods indigenous to the different regions and cultures of The United States. He began his  mobile venture Harvest Mobile Cusine in 2013, a valuable harvesttool for street vending, catering, and exposure of flavor, Patrick has been spreading the love of cuisine he has gathered through his extensive travels and aims to show how important it is to get back to the simplicity of cooking, using local ingredients and simple time honored techniques.

 

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

I prefer to cook with locally-sourced, organic ingredients. In my experience, those ingredients are the freshest, and most flavorful. I believe that by supporting our local growers and producers, I am slowly bringing the community together one bite at a time.

 

What ingredient do you dread?

Commercially manufactured and produced foods that are low in nutrition and high on preservatives.

 

Wedding Beets

What’s your favorite dish to make?

I don’t focus on a single dish, but rather the idea of utilizing foods from the area. I enjoy cooking according to the seasons. The most beneficial foods are those that are sourced from the roots of our community. So, I typically feed my family a lot of salads and vegetables.

 

What’s your favorite pig out food?

Eating is an essential part of life that we, as a culture, need to take more seriously. If you eat wholesome foods, you won’t have that urge to over indulge. I believe we need to change our mindsets to a healthier and more sustainable one when it comes to fueling our bodies.

 

What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?

I look for restaurants that have the same mind set as myself. I support locally-owned and operated restaurants that support community growers.  Corner Kitchen is our “go to” family dining spot.  They do a wonderful job sourcing local foods, have an excellent service staff, and respect the simple flavors that sourcing local can bring to the plate.  They do a great job of making the guest feel welcome, and also provide options for young growing palates to explore new tastes.

 

What’s your best advice for home chefs?

Always source your ingredients from your local growers or your own garden.  Utilizing foods at their peak freshness brings out the true flavors.  Simple cooking techniques highlight the fresh flavor of your community gardens.

 

Patrick & Becky

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

I would invite the 4 women who have meant the most to me in life.

-Grandmother Caroline who taught me the basic fundamentals of cooking at a very young age. I assisted her in many meal preparations and chocolate chip cookie batches.

-My Mother, Lin, who has always provided solid support throughout my culinary travels and growth.  Growing up on a farm she has a knack for gardening, and that spilled over to our large backyard produce garden that we used for our family meals growing up.

-My wife, Becky, who taught me that even though two individuals are raised in entirely different worlds, food is the one thing that everyone can relate too through memories.  She is a very important part of Harvest and the key to our success.  I’m very grateful to have her along for this ride, and look forward to many more roads traveled together.

-My daughter, Sage, who has been an inspiration to both Becky and I.  She is what drives us to be the best people we can, and continue to spread our passion of local food, and community support.  Being able to watch her grow has been an overall joy.

 

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

I look up to all the Chefs I was fortunate enough to spend time with in the kitchen and learn from in my culinary travels throughout the states.  I’m inspired by those who share my philosophy of using food as a way to build communities, and show respect to the hard-working farmers.

 

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?

I enjoy spending time in nature with my dogs.  I know of several spots around the area that we can disappear into the woods, getting away from the daily grind and noise of life.  To me, the most relaxing space is being deep in the woods with a gentle breeze blowing just enough to hear the trees whisper as they sway. It’s in these brief moments, being one with nature, that I feel most at peace.

 

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:

I have been very fortunate in my culinary travels to have the opportunity to share my passion with many dignitaries and well-known individuals, like President Obama.

Most recently we were asked to cater a birthday dinner for a local celebrity and his family.   We plated and served a 7-course, locally-sourced meal at a very secluded venue from our mobile kitchen.  It was very humbling to see the smiles on folks after experiencing my creations, and sharing these flavors with people from all walks of life.

 

10 ?’s with Chef Stephanie Schifrin Salas

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Cincinnati native and University of Cincinnati alumna, Stephanie Schifrin Salas was born to be a chef. Early on, while watching PBS’s original celebrity chef, Julia Child, Stephanie was enthralled with all things cooking. Her junior high classmates began referring to her as “Chef Steph” well before her graduation from Queen City Culinary Academy and the Culinary Institute of America.

Feeding larger groups has become Chef Stephanie’s niche. Cooking at home for two or four people has become increasingly difficult as she has grown accustomed to feeding the masses.

Chef Stephanie’s cooking style is a modern mix of classic flavors. She has a flair for taking ordinary ingredients and making them extraordinary.

Chef Stephanie accepted the position of Executive Chef at The Dayton Club atop the Kettering Tower this past July. While she stays busy helping the club through it’s rebrand, she also found time to answer our Chef 10 ? interview.

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

Fresh herbs & citrus…they add so much flavor and acidity to dishes and allow me to use less salt!

What ingredient do you dread?

Anything in a can!

What’s your favorite dish to make?

Soups & sauces. I was classically trained as a saucier out of culinary school & my first Chef taught me if I could make a good soup or sauce; I could make ANYTHING!

What’s your favorite pig out food?

It’s either a good pizza or bowl of really awesome pasta.

What restaurant, other than your own, do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?

I am a fan of The Paragon, Thai 9, Corner Kitchen, Mamma DiSalvo’s.

What’s your best advice for home chefs?

Don’t over complicate things…if it tastes great & your friends & family love it…then it’s a win! The pics on Pinterest, social media & recipe books don’t always get it right!! Cook from your heart & soul…the rest will follow

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

Julia Child, Ronald Reagan, My Grandpa Stu & Michael Jordan…to discuss the world, sports, cooking, my love of all of them and how they all individually had a part of shaping me to be the talented chef (& fan of things sports & politics) that I am today

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

Other strong & talented women in our business that succeed and grow—that are willing to share their stories and knowledge with others. Those (like me) who mentor and challenge young chefs to do better, to be humble, to learn the craft from the ground up and take a piece and part from every cook, utility worker, chef, FOH co-worker, GM, bartender you come into contact with—you never know when you will work with them again…and you never know what trick of the trade they will teach you…inspire you with or motivation you will want to share with a protégée in the future!

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?

Spend time with good friends & loved ones checking out locally owned shops, restaurants, galleries & museums. I love learning about the history of the Miami Valley area and have used a great deal of its people & places as inspirations in my new menus here at the Dayton Club.

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:

Funny sports related laugh…when I was the Executive Chef @ Soldier Field in Chicago my Game Day Kitchen was on one of the Skybox levels in the stadium…I had the pleasure of coming in to find Paris Hilton, Jim Belushi, Bill Murray and other famous celebrities helping my line cooks bang out orders during a rush! They were lost…but it was always so much fun watching them play along with my staff!!

 

10 ?s with Chef Jansen Trotman

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Chef Jansen Trotman was born in Trinidad and grew up in the Virgin islands. His family’s love for food and fellowship as well as their passion for clean living became the foundation and inspiration for his culinary career. Chef Jansen has been in the restaurant industry for over 25 years. Throughout the years, he’s had the privilege of working with some wonderfully talented and extremely creative chefs , Dan Eule , Ricardo Heridia, and Anne Kearney, to name a few. Jansen has been the executive chef at Lily’s Bistro in the Oregon district since January where they have always maintained a very close relationship with the local farming community.  he’s been helping to grow their team’s love for creative, fun, and seasonally-driven menus that they change each and every day.

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

fresh fish
What ingredient do you dread?
canned meat
What’s your favorite dish to make?
beans and rice with a perfectly cooked sunny side up egg.
What’s your favorite pig out food?
taco bake
What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
Meadowlark
What’s your best advice for home chefs?
taste everything… a lot!
If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?
My Mom,  Dad and my wife because they share the same love for food and fellowship as I. The fourth person is incredibly difficult to decide, I’ll have to give it some thought.
Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
Nobu Matsuhisa.. he’s my all time favorite chef. I admire his drive and determination to stick to his vision throughout the years in spite of so much adversity and opposition.
What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?
usually visit one of the local parks for a walk or a hike and dine at one of the local eatery’s.
Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
I was vegetarian until I graduated high school. When I was younger my sister’s and I would spend the summers in Tortola with my grandmother. Her brother regularly brought her fresh whole fish from his morning catch. She would clean it, make broth out of the head and bones to use in soups and stews. This whole process at the time was foreign to me and maybe a bit weird and gross too! One morning I was being a total jerk and telling her that it’s disgusting and awful and she promptly picked up one of the fish heads, and hurrled it at me. That might have been when my deep connection to seafood began!!

10 ?s with Chef Aaron Watson

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There’s a new face in the kitchen at the Dayton Convention Center, Chef Aaron Watson.  Technically he’s employed by Spectra by Comcast Spectacor, who handles the food service for the Center.

Prior to his recent move to Dayton Watson was the Executive Chef of Babalu Tapas and Tacos in Lexington, KY.  Owner Al Roberts described Watson as “very talented and energetic and outgoing with the public.”   He also described Watson as “very emphatic about working with local suppliers and  he built invaluable relationships with producers of local agriculture.”

Chef describes himself  as an over achiever, with hands on experience managing high volume kitchens, which is a good thing since his first big event in his new kitchen at the Convention Center will be the 2018 Delta Sigma Theta Debutante Ball this weekend for over 1000 guests.

Watson earned his Associates of Applied Business in Hospitality Management as well as Restaurant Marketing, Professional Chef and Human Resource and Management Certifications from Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland.

 

To help you get to know the new Chef in town, we asked him to answer our 10 ? interview and here’s what he had to say:

 

Duck Breast/Five Grain Rice Pilaf/Lemon Sabayon/Citrus Balsamic/Asparagus

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

Duck

What ingredient do you dread?

Vegetable Base…!

What’s your favorite dish to make?

Ossobuco

What’s your favorite pig out food?

Tacos

What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?

I’ve only been in Dayton for about 2 weeks. But I look forward to seeing what the food scene has to offer.

What’s your best advice for home chefs?

Volunteer to cook for a weekend at a local fine dining restaurant. It will be a life changing experience

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

Will Smith, Kim Jong Un, Dalai lama, Linda Blair. Reason: Pure entertainment value!

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

Eddy Tancredi

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?

Biking, Hiking, Camping, Bush craft

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:

A fellow cook at the time had been working very long hours for over a week. Mainly shifts he had picked up to gain extra money. Stress was surmounting due to him working a second job and also holding the position of Pastor at a local Church. One night he comes over to me and asks if I can close his station so he can leave early. I told him I had been busy all night and have a lot to do closing my station already. He asked several other people to no avail. He then began yelling that no one will help him and then completely freaked! He started throwing hand fulls of baked potatoes into the oven with cans of Vegaline, threatening to blow us up. He than began slinging pans of ketchup and bbq sauce all over the walls while yelling about us not being a team. One of the cooks ran off the line in fear to get a manager from the FOH. At that point, the cook then scurried to gather all the hotel pans from the floor, emptied the oven of potatoes and pan spray. Then he ran in the back to the mop sink, grabbed the water hose and sprayed all the sauce off the walls, squigied the floor and stood in front of his station as if nothing ever happened? The manager finally comes back to the kitchen with an anxiety filled expression and sees everything running as usual. That was the day we all realized just how crazy Ed actually was! Things never felt quite as safe after that…

10?’s With 2018 Chef Showdown Champ Crystal Coppock

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The judges with Crystal.

The third times a charm for Wheat Penny Chef Crystal Coppock.  On Sunday afternoon at The Dayton Home and Outdoor Living Show, before a standing room only audience,  Crystal took her mystery bag of Marrow Bones, Gorgonzola Cheese, Bacon and  Angel Food Cake, enhanced by her special anchovy butter and some ingredients from the Whole Food Pantry  and created the winning dish, as judged by James Beard Award winning Chef Anne Kearney, former C’est Tout owner Dominique Fortin and Nestle Corporate Executive Chef George Sideras.

Crystal, a Dayton native, has been been cooking since her childhood. What started as a hobby quickly turned into the passion which paved the path to her eventual career.

Crystal’s childhood memories of the kitchen revolve around her grandma, Clarine Baldwin. She can recall standing at her grandma’s side as Clarine would cook Southern family favorites from scratch, such as chicken and dumplings or cornbread. Crystal was completely enamored by Clarine’s ability to transform things as simple as flour and eggs into healing and delicious meals which would then be celebrated by family and friends.

Qualifying round of Chef Showdown with Crystal, Rae Rosbough and Jon Mezera on Sat, March 17th

Crystal would later go on to pursue Culinary Arts at the Miami Valley Career Technology Center in Clayton, Ohio, graduating in 2008. She worked in several kitchens, both corporate and local before eventually finding her place as Sous Chef at Wheat Penny Oven and Bar. The passion for food and people displayed at Wheat Penny by its owners Elizabeth Wiley, Elizabeth Valenti, and Dave Rawson resonated with Crystal.  The message is simple and powerful: Cook great food for great people. 

After entering the showdown in 2016, making it the finals in 2017, in 2018 Crystal walked away with the $500 grand prize and bragging rights.  Right after her win, we asked her to answer our Chef 10 Questions and here are her answers:

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

2017 Chef Showdown Finals

 
I’m a huge fan of fish.  It’s so versatile, but also requires some technique to execute properly. Additionally,  I really enjoy using vinegars, they can breathe a new life into some pretty dull things. 
 
What ingredient do you dread?
Oh man, I truly don’t know.  I don’t care for chicken breast, but I can’t say I dread it. 
 
What’s your favorite dish to make?
I love making fresh pasta,  equally I love sauce making.  I care a lot about texture and depth of flavor. 
 
What’s your favorite pig out food?

Cooking at Wheat Penny

Dips of all kinds.  I’m a sucker for a good guacamole.
 
What restaurant, other than your own, do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
Corner Kitchen,  without a doubt. 
 
What’s your best advice for home chefs?
Challenge yourself and accept that you’re going to mess some things up.  Cooking should be fun, and you should explore it. 
 
If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?
Hmmm… I don’t have a good answer for that.  I really enjoy sharing food with people, that’s why I do this work.  So really,  anyone who genuinely appreciates good food. 
 
Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

Marysa & Crystal – photo by Megan Powell


 A lot of people, but in particular Dave Rawson. He is so knowledgeable but very modest.  I try to model my management style after him.  He’s a really spectacular chef and mentor. 

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?
I hang out with my wonderful wife,  Marysa and we like seeing movies,  going to dinner,  going to museums or just hanging on the couch with our dog. 
 
Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
Well, who could forget about the time I forgot the sauce during the first chef showdown? I’ve learned a lot about focus since then.  

 

10 ?’s with Katie Marks of The Wicked ‘Wich

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Katie Marks is the owner of The Wicked ‘Wich of Dayton, a food truck that specializes in fresh, made to order eclectic combinations to basic build-your-own sandwiches brought to the streets of Dayton. They offer food different from your normal routine; combinations of sweet and savory on delicious local bread, along with a variety of options for vegetarians.

Not only is she passionate about the food she delivers, she’s also passionate about Dayton.  The Wicked ‘Wich of Dayton is throwing their 3rd annual launch party, with all proceeds going to TJ’s Place of Hope and Building Bridges, two great non-profit organizations in the Dayton area serving at-risk youth. Come for an evening of great music, local craft beer, raffle prizes, and amazing food!

Admission is $10 for 8 talented acts, all of which are from Dayton aside from our guest act, Jounce. Raffle tickets are $1 a piece or 6 for $5, featuring some pretty cool prizes from local businesses in the area. The truck will be accessible without the door fee, so if you’re looking for a great sandwich, come grab one!  So Katie says, “please come say hello and try the food. Not only are you getting a better quality and more convenient sandwich, you’ll be helping to make a better Dayton.”

Before the food truck reason gets rolling, we asked Katie to take time out to answer our 10 ?’s:

 

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

My favorite ingredient to cook with is garlic.  I think the best dishes begin with fresh minced garlic (not the jarred stuff).  It usually has a hiding spot within all of our creations, including my home ones.

 

What ingredient do you dread?

Onions.  I am so sensitive they are like mace.  Fortunately, I have a great crew on hand to make sure they are taken care of. 

 

What’s your favorite dish to make?

My favorite dish to make lately is French Toast.  My mom made it for me growing up, and I’ve always loved experimenting with different batters and toppings.  This weekend at the Brunch Rally, we are unveiling a new sandwich with French Toast as the bread.  Stay tuned, I just tried it and it’s super tasty.  (We are putting the menu on Facebook shortly)

 

What’s your favorite pig out food?

My favorite pig out food is The Root Beer Stande on Wilmington.  There’s nothing better than their Mac-and-cheese bites and a root beer float.

 

What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?

This is such a difficult question, because there’s so many innovative and talented chefs in the area.  I wish I could give a top 5, although I’ll try and get away with food truck and brick-and-mortar.  PA’s Pork always has my heart with their take on different styles of cuisine, while Wheat Penny has me with their out-of-the-box style and fabulous wood fired pizza.

 

What’s your best advice for home chefs?

My best advice for home chefs would be to try something out of your comfort zone.  Don’t be afraid to mess something up, sometimes the best creations come from complete accidents or mistakes themselves.  Try out of the box combinations.  Cilantro and marmalade on a sandwich was because it was all that was in my refrigerator. 

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

These questions are challenging!  My four guests would be:

1. The Wright Brothers.  I have always admired their innovation, intelligence, and dedication to a concept.  Their brilliance changed the way the entire world works, and it all started right here.  I would also want to ask about being alive through the transition from horse and buggies to fighter jets and electric start automobiles.

2. James Yancey.  Known in the music industry as J Dilla, he was a producer back the 1990’s that was celebrated for his sample methods with the very simple tools he used.  I would say he is proof that it isn’t the artist’s tools, but the artist themselves that can create beautiful masterpieces with what they have.

3. Jack Joyce, one of the founders of Rogue Brewery in Oregon.  I have always been fascinated with their business model and marketing.  The company is ran strictly word of mouth, and they have a great concept in their bottling and labeling.  Several of their ingredients even come from Rogue Farms, their own farm dedicated to the brewery.  I highly recommend the Pumpkin Patch Ale during the fall, and any of their Voodoo Donut ales they come out with every year.  

4. Paul Lawrence Dunbar. After reading his poetry, I would want to hear his story and also what his life was like in Dayton. I feel like he is a very underrated part of Dayton history, and often overlooked.

 

Seasoned sausage, scrambled egg, housemade salsa, and fresh cut cilantro all on a heated double corn tortilla

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

I look up to Angela and Pete Olejnicek from PA’s Pork.  They have been amazing mentors and friends as we’ve navigated the food truck waters.  Angela is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met and is so talented at what she does, and Pete is also extremely talented along with handy.  It always seems like the two of them can get through anything, and have used their wisdom and experience to help me through some tough times.

 

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?

I always love hiking Glen Helen, and treating myself and my partner to a local venue for the evening.  I am almost never disappointed with the local dining options, and the breweries here are incredible.  I’ll also venture out to local shows, for we have some extremely talented bands that play in the area.

 

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:

We have forgotten the bread.  Yes, the bread.  All’s I can say is thank god someone (really a member of a solid support system) could go and get it in time, and that we are all human 🙂

We are so excited for the changes and hard work we’ve put in over the winter. From the feedback we’ve received, we’ve come up with some faster logistics, opened up an expo window in the back, and have begun some new sandwiches that we cannot wait to share with you! We love you guys and cannot put into words how much we have appreciated the support over the last two years. Here’s to an amazing third season!

??Sunday we are at The Old Yellow Cab again! Only this time it’s for Brunch! A food truck rally, brought to you by The Drunken Waffle and Smokinbeebeeq. There’s some great trucks and we will have an awesome menu! Check it out in the comments section on Monday.

On the Menu:

?THIS IS PINE-AL TAP (NEW!):
Slow-cooked teriyaki chicken is paired with Havarti cheese, with sunflower kerns for a smooth flavor and crunch with pineapple preserves for a sweet finish.

?LADY MARMALADE (Best of Dayton finalist from Dayton.com two years in a row!)
Sliced almonds provide a little crunch to turkey, fused with white cheddar while paired with cilantro and orange marmalade.

?PHILLY BOB THORNTON:
Roast beef is paired with Swiss cheese, then a layer of sautéed mushroom, onion, and green pepper, then finished with our housemade garlic-parm mayo.

?NEW AGE GRILL (vegetarian):
Sautéed mushrooms are sandwiched between two slices of Swiss cheese with giardiniera (pickled vegetables, popular with Chicago-style pizza), then topped off with our housemade Cabernet ketchup.

?GRILLED CHEESE/BUILD YOUR OWN:
Default cheese is cheddar, although you’re welcome to ask about the different cheese we have that day. Add lettuce, tomato, onion, or pickle as well.
We try to source our ingredients as locally as possible ❤️
Side Items:
?IN QUESO EMERGENCY (NEW!):
Housemade queso dip with tortilla chips

?SLAW APOLOGIES:
Our fresh signature coleslaw, prepared fresh daily
?Mike Sell’s Potato Chips
?Pepsi Products and water
?Debit and credit accepted.?

Order from your office before your break or on your way home, and pick up your food ready to go! Click the link below for some mobile carryout with a twist.

For more on the Wicked ‘Wich- hear them on the Gem City Podcast.

10 ?’s with Chef Aaron Braun

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Chef Aaron Braun’s culinary interest began in his Mother’s kitchen in Kettering, but was probably inherited from his Grandfather, who immigrated and opened a small restaurant in Dayton. Appreciation for good food and gatherings around the family dinner table inspired Aaron to seek employment in local restaurants at an early age, and later to obtain Culinary and Business Degrees from Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio.

He further broadened his cooking horizons on Put-in-Bay and then moved on to San Diego.  In California, Aaron promptly found employment at Silvergate Yacht Club, and then a 44-acre, private island resort; Paradise Point. It was at this luxury resort that he was able to really grow, eventually becoming the Chef of their fine dining establishment.  After getting married and traveling across the country, Aaron’s dedication to family and devotion to his hometown have brought him back to Dayton, where he has had the privilege of working for Wiley, as Meadowlark’s Sous Chef, for the past four years.

Aaron will be competing in the 2nd Annual Chef Showdown at the Dayton Home and Garden Show on Sat, March 18th in the first round at 11am.   This Chopped inspired competition features 9 local Chefs challenged to prepare an appetizer from a mystery basket of ingredients in 20 minutes.  One chef from each of the 3 preliminary rounds moves on to the finals Sunday at 1pm where they’ll create an entree in 30 minutes.  Winner gets $500 and bragging rights for the year!

Before the big competition we asked Aaron to take on our 10 question interview:

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

Eggs, they are so versatile and delicious, a key ingredient in some of my favorite things: fresh pasta dough, custards, cakes, breaded anything and of course on their own, in a breakfast burrito or a fried egg sandwich.

What ingredient do you dread?

Artichokes, I worked at a place that had a tuna dish that required two 20lb. cases of artichokes a week. By the time you get done peeling and trimming them there isn’t much yield and inevitably you end up with a thousand little cuts all over your hands.

What’s your favorite dish to make?
Hungarian greasy bread, so bear with me here, you take a good rye bread (I always use DLM) and slice it thick. Take jaw bacon and make deep cross cuts into the fat and skewer it. Chop up yellow onion, green pepper and the best tomato from the garden, and get some Hungarian paprika.  Now you’ll need a fire in the backyard, (on what will be the hottest day of the year). Take your bread put the peppers, onion and tomato on the the slice of rye bread (we usually build a few of them and set them on plates around the fire).  Next hold the skewered jaw bacon above the fire and wait. Once the fat starts slowly rendering, drip it on your sandwich, shake a fair amount of paprika on and enjoy. Best served surrounded by family telling stories.

Anything that requires building a fire in the backyard and inviting the whole family over is good with me. 

What’s your favorite pig out food?
Italian Hoagie: crisp-on-the-outside soft-in-the-middle bread, best quality Italian cold cuts and provolone, shredded lettuce, thin sliced tomatoes and onion, topped with spicy cherry peppers, sprinkled with oregano and doused in vinegar and oil.

What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?

Kabuki, we split a DoLsot Bimbob for an appetizer; rice, beef, veggies and a sunny side up egg. They serve it with a Korean spicy sauce that is amazing.  The dish is served in a hot stone bowl, as it sits the rice on the bottom becomes crispy- so good.  Then we have our favorite house sushi rolls- great food and service.

What’s your best advice for home chefs?

Mise en place, okay deep breath, it’s a French culinary term meaning everything “in its place”. So before you start cooking, measure out your ingredients, chop your vegetables and herbs, open your cans, get your pots and skillets out.  Once you have everything out and measured, it will make for less stressful cooking.  

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

Phil Lesh, Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia, I’ve been inspired for decades by their creativity, improvisation and the ability to consistently blow their audiences’ minds.  The last person would be my wife Candice, because if I was hanging out with the boys and cooking and didn’t invite her there would be many quiet mornings around the coffee pot.

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

Wiley, the owner of Meadowlark, I have had the pleasure of working for Wiley for a few years now. She has inspired me with her generosity and love for food and people. The wealth of culinary experiences she brings to the table inspires me to continue to seek out my own and share them through cooking. I don’t know if I will ever be able to repay her for everything she has taught me. Thank You!

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?

  Starting the day off at the thrift store, we stop back at the house to pick up our dog Pancho and drive through Tudor’s Biscuit World (in Xenia). We head over to Scout Dog Park for a few hours of live entertainment. Then we go back to the house to garden for a bit and enjoy sunset around the pool and grill with friends and family.

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:

  I had just moved to San Diego, I was working in a fine dining restaurant on a 44-acre island.   I had been roped into joining the Safety Committee for the resort; attending weekly meetings, inspections of other departments and this kind of fun stuff.  Anyway, we had just finished an Easter brunch, we had a few tables finishing up, the general manager had asked me to go out and talk to a table that was from Ohio (so being a proud Ohio guy I obliged). Within a matter of a minute or two the restaurant was shaking, chandelier swaying, glassware tinging, and panic noise coming from the kitchen.  My thought process was- What is happening?   Earthquake!  Being from Ohio, I had never been in an earthquake nor had the guest I was talking with. I remembered from a safety meeting the location to take everyone in case of an emergency, calmly got the guests up from the tables, started to lead them to the safety point and sent a bus boy back to get my kitchen staff. Before the ground had stopped shaking we had everyone out of the building and I had my (future) wife on the phone to make sure she was alright. She said that it must have been a big one, her Mom on the other line had felt it in Arizona!  That was my first earthquake, safety pays, no injuries reported.

10 ?’s with Fifth Street Brewpubs Chef Brandon Travis

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brandonChef Brandon Travis  has  over 2700 owner/bosses, at the Fifth Street Brewpub.   more than 11 years of food service experience. During that time, he worked in nearly every kitchen station and position, which allowed him to learn how to effectively run a kitchen to provide the highest quality of fare to customers. Chef Brandon specializes in obtaining the highest quality products available and focuses on responsible and sustainable sourcing. He strives to use locally grown and produced products in everything he creates. Chef Brandon attended Sinclair Community College’s culinary arts and hospitality management program. He’s worked at Fifth Street Brewpub since they first introduced their kitchen.

Just last week Chef Brandon introduced a new menu for the brewpub, which includes discounted prices for members and a Monday – Friday, 4 – 6 PM happy hour for all that offers $1 off drafts, and wine as well as all sharing plates, like the smoked salmon dip,  Co-op Cheese curds, and the ever popular Henry Chips not have an option to add chicken, pork or braised beef.   The entree menu includes a turkey avocado club, the best selling build your own burger, a vegan spinach wrap and 4 salads to choose from. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10am -2pm with breakfast classics like french toast, steak and eggs and some specialty items like chicken and waffles and the over the top banana foster waffle.  See the full menu here.

Chef Brandon took time out from the kitchen to answer our Chef’s 10 ?’s so we could get to know him a little better.  We learned he’s a man of few words, preferring to let his food do the talking.

 

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with? Cilantro

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Spatzel Pork – A breaded pork tenderloin fried to perfection served on spatzel dumplings topped with caramelized onions and our housemade beer cheese.

 

What ingredient do you dread? Tamarind

 

What’s your favorite dish to make? Risotto

 

What’s your favorite pig out food? Chinese

 

What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
Thai 9

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weekly specials change frequently, pictured here: tequila lime shrimp tacos

 

What’s your best advice for home chefs? Practice, practice, practice.

 

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?
I would invite Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and James Earl Jones to dinner because I’m a Star Wars nerd.

 

Who do you look up to in the industry and why? I look up to Tom Colicch

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Crabby Patty – A ½ pound handcrafted crab cake griddled to perfection served on a toasted brioche bun garnished with lettuce, tomato and a Cajun remoulade.

io, New York restauranteur, who is equal parts business and chef. He has five James Beard Awards under his belt.

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off? A day off starts with coffee at the Boston Stoker and a trip to Yellow Springs to hike with the dog and girlfriend.

 

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
My best kitchen disaster story was when I tipped an entire storage rack over because I’m short and needed to climb it for a dish on the top shelf.